Air-Frying Portobello Mushrooms: The Quick, Cheesy Way

Air fryers are a great way to cook portobello mushrooms, and the process is quick and easy. Depending on the recipe, cooking time can range from 7 to 20 minutes. The mushrooms can be sliced into strips and fried, or cooked whole and used in burgers, sandwiches, or as a side dish. The air fryer's rapid air circulation creates a crispy texture and enhances the natural umami flavour of the mushrooms.

How to make air fryer portobello mushroom fries

Ingredients:

• Portobello mushrooms
• Olive oil or avocado oil
• Flour
• Eggs
• Panko breadcrumbs
• Creole seasoning
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Worcestershire sauce
• Soy sauce
• Sesame oil
• Parsley or cilantro (optional)

Method:

• Prepare the mushrooms by gently wiping the caps with a damp paper towel. Remove the stems and use a small spoon to scoop out the gills. Slice the mushrooms into strips resembling fries.
• Set up three wide and shallow bowls. In the first bowl, add flour and 1/4 teaspoon of creole seasoning, whisking to combine. In the second bowl, whisk two to three eggs until blended. In the third bowl, add the panko breadcrumbs and the remaining creole seasoning.
• Dredge the mushroom strips in the flour, shaking off any excess. Then, dip them into the egg mixture and allow the excess to drip back into the bowl. Finally, coat the mushroom strips with the seasoned panko breadcrumbs, ensuring they are covered on all sides.
• Spritz the air fryer basket with olive oil or avocado oil. Place the coated mushroom strips in a single layer in the basket and give them a quick spritz of oil.
• Set the air fryer temperature to 390°F. Air fry the mushrooms for 4 minutes, then use tongs to flip them over and air fry for an additional 3 minutes.
• Serve the air fryer portobello mushroom fries with your favorite dipping sauce, such as ranch, blue cheese, ketchup, or hot sauce. Optionally, garnish with chopped parsley or cilantro before serving.

Tips:

• If you don't have wide bowls, pie tins can also be used for dredging.
• Use only one hand to dip the mushrooms, so you have a clean hand to work with. Wearing a glove on the dipping hand is recommended.
• Try not to overlap the mushroom fries in the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking.
• If you'd like to add dried herbs, consider parsley, thyme, oregano, or rosemary.
• To freeze any prepared but uncooked fries, place them in a single layer on a tray and put them in the freezer. Once frozen, transfer them to freezer bags. There is no need to thaw or increase cooking time when air frying frozen mushroom fries.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• To reheat, microwave for 30 seconds or use a toaster oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes.

How to make a portobello bacon cheeseburger

Ingredients:

• Portobello mushrooms
• Coconut bacon
• Dairy-free cheese
• Tomato
• Lettuce
• Onion
• Condiments of your choice
• Avocado oil
• Balsamic vinegar
• Garlic powder
• Italian seasoning
• Black pepper
• Optional: coconut or avocado oil spray

Method:

• Prepare the mushrooms by removing the stems and scraping out the gills with a spoon (if desired).
• In a small bowl, add avocado oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and black pepper. Mix until well combined.
• Wash and dry the mushrooms, then coat them with the seasoning mixture on both sides.
• Preheat your air fryer to 380-400°F (190°C).
• Place the mushrooms in the air fryer basket, cap-side down, making sure they are not overcrowded. You may need to cook them in batches.
• Air fry the mushrooms for 7-10 minutes, turning them over halfway through, until they are soft and juicy on the inside and browned on the outside.
• While the mushrooms are cooking, prepare your other burger ingredients, such as frying the coconut bacon and slicing the tomato, lettuce, and onion.
• Once the mushrooms are cooked, let them cool for a few minutes, then assemble your cheeseburger, adding the cheese and other toppings of your choice.
• Enjoy your delicious and hearty Portobello Bacon Cheeseburger!

Tips:

• Depending on the size and thickness of your mushrooms, you may need to adjust the cooking time. Larger mushrooms may need up to 10 minutes.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking.
• You can experiment with different flavor combinations for the marinade, such as adding lemon juice, different types of vinegar, or herb combos.
• If you want to add an extra crispy texture to your burger, you can bread the mushrooms before air frying.

How to make Mediterranean portobello pizzas

Ingredients

• 4 portobello mushrooms
• 1 1/2 tablespoon avocado oil
• 1/2 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
• 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
• 3/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• Mediterranean toppings of your choice (e.g. spinach, artichokes, sun-dried tomatoes, kalamata olives, feta cheese)

Method

First, make the marinade by adding the balsamic vinegar, avocado oil, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder to a small bowl and mixing until combined. Wash and dry the mushrooms, then cover them on both sides with the marinade.

Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (190°C). Once hot, place the mushrooms in the air fryer basket with the cap side facing down. Make sure not to overcrowd the basket and cook in batches if necessary. Air fry the mushrooms for 7 minutes, or up to 10 minutes if they are large. Turn them over halfway through.

Remove the mushrooms from the air fryer and top with your favorite Mediterranean ingredients. Return to the air fryer and cook until hot, melted, and crispy around the edges. Enjoy!

How to make a ciabatta sandwich with portobello mushrooms

Ingredients:

• 2 large portobello mushrooms
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon cracked black pepper
• 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1/2 tablespoon vegetarian green pesto
• 2 ciabatta rolls
• 6 cherry tomatoes, sliced
• A small handful of basil leaves
• 1/4 cup feta cheese (25g)
• Hummus
• Caramelized onions
• Roasted red peppers
• Spinach/rocket or greens of your choice

Instructions:

• Preheat your oven to 392°F (200°C).
• Brush both sides of the mushrooms with olive oil, then with balsamic vinegar. Season with salt and pepper.
• Place the mushrooms stem side up on a small baking tray.
• Bake in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes.
• Split the ciabatta rolls in half, then brush a little oil over each one. Toast the inside of both pieces on a hot griddle pan.
• In a small bowl, mix the pesto and mayonnaise together.
• Spread the pesto mayo over one side of the ciabatta roll.
• When the mushrooms are roasted, carefully pat them dry if they are very wet.
• Place one mushroom on each ciabatta roll. Crumble over the feta, then add the tomatoes and a couple of basil leaves.
• Place the remaining ciabatta roll on top and serve immediately.

Air-Frying the Portobello Mushrooms:

If you would like to air-fry the portobello mushrooms instead of baking them in the oven, follow these steps:

• In a small bowl, mix together a sauce made of Worcestershire sauce, olive oil, salt, garlic powder, and onion powder.
• Spray your air fryer basket with olive oil spray.
• Use a basting brush to spread the sauce over the outer caps of the mushrooms, then place them gill-side up in the air fryer. Use the remaining sauce over the gill side.
• Air fry the portobello mushrooms at 400°F (204°C) for 5 minutes.
• Flip them over and air fry for an additional 4-7 minutes, until browned and juicy.

Customizations:

• You can customize the sandwich by adding or substituting ingredients. For example, you can add caramelized onions, roasted zucchini, or other cooked or raw greens.
• If you want to make the sandwich vegan, substitute the mayo, pesto, and feta for vegan alternatives.
• For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free bread and ensure that the pesto is also gluten-free.

How to make stuffed portobello mushrooms

Ingredients:

• 2 Portobello Mushrooms
• 1 cup imitation crab meat, shredded
• 3 tablespoons cream cheese
• 2 tablespoons Japanese mayo
• 1/4 cup shredded cheese
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 1/2 tablespoon lemon zest
• 1/2 cup prawns or shrimp, chopped (optional)
• Pinch of black pepper

Method:

• Mix the crab meat, cream cheese, Japanese mayo, shredded cheese, green onion, lemon zest, black pepper, and chopped prawns or shrimp (if using) in a large bowl.
• Remove the stems from the mushrooms and use a spoon to gently scoop out the insides until they are clean.
• Stuff each mushroom with the creamy filling, using around 5-6 tablespoons per mushroom, depending on its size.
• Set your air fryer to 380°F (190°C) and air fry the mushrooms for about 12 minutes, or until they are crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside.
• Optional: garnish with seaweed powder and sesame seeds before serving.

Tips:

• You can customise the filling based on your preferences and what you have available. Other ingredients you can add include sweet corn, bacon, tuna, and peas.
• If you don't have an air fryer, you can grill or fry the mushrooms in a pan using the same marinade.

Frequently asked questions